Homicide suspect questioned

A suspect in the homicide probe into the death of Amy
Farrall has been quizzed this afternoon in hospital while he
undergoes surgery for dog bite injuries sustained during his
arrest.

Police have released a photograph of the 38-year-old man's
charcoal Nissan Terrano they say he was driving when he
picked up two hitchhikers on the West Coast and attacked
them.

He was pursued in the vehicle by police for 90 minutes before
a five-hour stand-off, during which he allegedly threw
Molotov cocktails at officers and they returned fire with
sponge rounds.

Police believe he may have used the vehicle to drive from
Christchurch to the West Coast any time from late Saturday
morning.

Ms Farrall's body was found in the boot of her car at a
Woolston supermarket on Sunday.

Police say the car had been there since 10am on Saturday.

Senior Sergeant Darryl Sweeney said this afternoon that
police were making "good progress" in their homicide
inquiries.

The 38-year old, arrested on West Coast at 3am on Monday, was
originally taken to Grey Base Hospital but was driven by
ambulance under police guard to Christchurch Hospital this
morning.

He remains in hospital in a stable condition under police
guard, and was due to undergo surgery today.

Investigators say they interviewed him this afternoon.

A post-mortem examination on Ms Farrall, a 24-year-old
community support worker, is continuing, police say.

They confirmed that the 38-year-old had lived at Ms Farrall's
address at Wildberry St, Woolston, for a short time.

Forensic examination at the property continued today and will
continue for some days, according to police. Forensic
examinations of the two motor vehicles of interest are also
continuing.

Police family liaison and Victim Support are continuing to
provide support to her family. A team of up to 30 police
staff are working on the investigation.

No charges have been laid in relation to either the homicide
or the attack on the two tourists, and no court appearance is
scheduled.

Both of the female tourists - a 27-year-old of Japanese/Dutch
heritage and a 28-year-old from Germany - remain in
Christchurch Hospital in a stable condition.

Police spoke to the two women last night and hope to speak to
them again tomorrow.

Police are continuing to appeal for sightings of the Nissan
Terrano in the Christchurch area and between Christchurch and
the West Coast on Saturday.

Sightings are also sought of Amy Farrall's white Toyota
Corolla in the Woolston area on Saturday morning.

"A number of sightings have been reported to police by
members of the public in the past 24 hours. Police are
grateful for the assistance of those who have come forward
with information," a statement said.

Anyone with information about the vehicles or any other
aspects of the case is asked to contact Christchurch police
on 03 363 7400 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800
555 111.

Police are not seeking anyone else in the investigation.

Ms Farrall had been reported missing by an acquaintance on
Saturday afternoon, but police said it was too early to say
how or where she was killed.

Her distraught family released a statement yesterday, saying
she was a kind and caring girl who loved animals.

She worked as a caregiver for Richmond Fellowship in
Christchurch, and her family said she was always helping
people in need.

"As a family we are devastated that her caring nature appears
to have been tragically taken advantage of."